Planning for the Future
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| Photo by Stephen Harrington |
During the next year, the association will be exploring with others how the Waterton Biosphere Reserve can best support and help facilitate the excellent work being done by many individuals and organizations in southwestern Alberta on conservation and sustainability. As an initial step forward, we intend to develop a cooperation plan to guide biosphere related activities which partners in the region consider to be a priority.
Like other biospheres in Canada, the Waterton Biosphere Reserve has no authority over land or water use. Everything we do depends on cooperation, partnership and participation. For this reason, the term ‘cooperation plan’ is often used to describe a reserve’s future work and direction.
The Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association views the cooperation plan as a starting point for moving ahead in a coordinated way with a wide range of stakeholders, communities and decision-makers. As part of the plan development, the reserve board hopes to have wide ranging discussions with organizations and individuals, many of whom are involved with conservation, sustainability and education initiatives throughout the region.
The cooperation plan will join the goals for the three functions of Waterton Biosphere Reserve with the challenges and actions that best reflect local needs and desires:
- Biodiversity Conservation -- What are our priorities for conserving natural diversity in the Waterton Biosphere Reserve area?
- Sustainable Development -- What are our priorities for encouraging sustainability of human activities in the reserve area?
- Logistic Support and Capacity Building -- How can we best improve the ability and capability of communities to make sound decisions for conservation and sustainable resource use in the reserve area through research, monitoring, education and information exchange?
If you or your organization would like to join in the discussion and help determine the future direction of Waterton Biosphere Reserve, please let us know at:
Waterton Biosphere Reserve Association
P.O. Box 7, Pincher Creek
Alberta T0K 1W0
Banner image credit - Kim Pearson